Mercedes expects difficult race: 'Lots of tyre management will be required'

"We've been struggling a bit in the windier conditions today, no doubt that's affected everyone but there are a few corners that were really well-balanced yesterday that today we couldn't seem to find a setup to compensate for the increased wind strength", Shovlin begins in Mercedes' press release.

In FP3, the drivers had to get used to the strong wind. As a result, the W13 became less predictable. "Qualifying was a disappointment given that we showed good promise at times, we were just struggling to put the laps together when it counted", Mercedes' technical director continues.

The final run did not quite go according to plan for Mercedes either. The team sent the drivers out of the pit lane a little later than usual, causing Lewis Hamilton to end at the back and lose tyre temperature. "He lost a bit of tyre temperature having to go slowly in the final few corners starting his lap." The seven-time world champion did manage to beat teammate George Russell.

Mercedes hopes for chances in the race

Due to the grid penalties of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez, Hamilton and Russell both gain two places, meaning they will start from P3 and P4 on Sunday. It is a good starting point if Mercedes wants to finish on the podium.

"It's unlikely to be a straightforward race, the degradation has been high this weekend so no doubt a fair bit of tyre management will be required. We've also seen that our race pace is almost always better than qualifying so hopefully this will be one where we can stick with the front group and look for the opportunities as the degradation sets in and the first stops come around", Shovlin says.